The Skylark is a small bird introduced from Britain in 1857. The upper parts are brown with strong dark central streaks to the feathers. It has a pale eyebrow and pale ring around the cheek. There is a cap-like crest at the rear of the crown and the upper breast is boldly streaked, with pale underparts. The outer two feathers on the tail are white. The Skylark is also known as the Common, English, Eurasian or Northern Skylark

Similar species:

The Australasian Pipit, Anthus novaeseelandiae, resembles the Skylark, and is adapted to a similar ecological niche, with both species being well-camoflaged birds that forage on the ground. The Australasian Pipit and the smaller Horsfield's Bushlark, Mirafra javanica, both lack the Skylark's small crest.

Where does it live?

Distribution:

The introduced Skylark now occurs from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, as well as in Tasmania, Victoria and north to the Hunter Valley in New South Wales. It is also found in temperate regions of Europe and Asia

Habitat:

The Skylark is found in cultivated grasslands and crops, wastelands and coastal dunes.

Seasonal movements:

The Skylark is nomadic or sedentary in Australia, but mostly migratory in the Northern Hemisphere.

What does it do?

Feeding:

The Skylark feeds on invertebrates, small seeds and young grass shoots. It often feeds on the ground alone or in pairs.

Breeding:

The Skylark builds a cup-shaped nest from dried grasses on the ground, under over-hanging grass. The females incubate the eggs while the males feed them on the nest. Both sexes feed the young

Living with us

The Skylark is an introduced species and has benefitted from clearing of forests and cropping.